Experion SCADA will be used to integrate and manage data coming from than 160 monitoring and control stations along a 1,400 km gas distribution network spanning nine prefectures, and also manage the delivery of gas to homes and businesses in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The software’s ability to handle multiple servers and switch over to a standby server in case of failures will enable INPEX to continue operations safely and without disruption in the event of equipment or system failures.

INPEX manages natural gas production from Minami-Nagaoka, the field which accounts for about 40% of Japan’s total natural gas production. With the growing demand for natural gas in Japan ranging between 2.5 to 3.0 billion cubic meters annually, INPEX plans to tap gas from overseas to supplement domestic demand. The company’s new liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline control center in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture will support this plan and become operational in 2014.

“Our solutions support INPEX’s vision of a robust and sustainable business as it grows and expands around the world,” said Marc Kroll, sales director, Japan, Honeywell Process Solutions. “With Honeywell technology, INPEX has the ability to meet growing demands, strengthen its network and better serve its customers and businesses.”

Annual Salary Survey

Before the calendar turned, 2016 already had the makings of a pivotal year for manufacturing, and for the world.

There were the big events for the year, including the United States as Partner Country at Hannover Messe in April and the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September. There's also the matter of the U.S. presidential elections in November, which promise to shape policy in manufacturing for years to come.

But the year started with global economic turmoil, as a slowdown in Chinese manufacturing triggered a worldwide stock hiccup that sent values plummeting. The continued plunge in world oil prices has resulted in a slowdown in exploration and, by extension, the manufacture of exploration equipment.